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I am having trouble making the link work this morning but am wondering how much you tipped. Is it a volunteer organization or in business to make money? Are you expected to tip as though you would have paid for the tour - like 25 or 35 euros?

Yes, I have used Paris Walks before. All of the walks available during our stay we have done or do not interest me so I wanted to try someone else. In SF there is a volunteer group from the library that gives tours and they are very informtive so wondering if it was the same kind of idea. Thanks.

I thought I read about a volunteer tour group here that are Parisians, meet you at your hotel, and informally guide you around. Have to do more research. Basically I was thinking that with this type of small group I might get to practice my French.

Buy one of the weekly event guides...'Pariscope' or 'Officiel des Spectacles'. In those small magazines, you will see 'Conferences'. These are guided tours. at low cost. Offered in French.

I've taken a few, and they can be quite fantastic because they take you places where the standard tourist tours do not go. Laat one, we went into someone's business, went into their basement, and saw a medieval well.

I'm bilingual, so it worked out fine. My one weakness is that I did not always know which king ruled when..they seem to know their history

You might also be interested in the free Notre Dame tour, led by knowledgeable volunteers. Excellent tour - I took it twice. It lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Wed & Thurs @2.00; Sat @ 2.30. Meet under the clock inside the main entrance.

You'll be able to practice your French all over Paris. It's only in the snooty places that they look down their noses at you and insist on English.